Romantic Dining Restaurants

GiGi caters to the palates of the world by offering a menu that highlights specialties from Italy, Thailand, and Spain--to name a few. European sidewalk café-style seating and a private outdoor terrace encourage a social experience that carries over into the main dining room, as well. Boasting unique tapas selections to be shared among friends and an impressive array of signature cocktails, GiGi welcomes visitors to stay and mingle. Pass dishes like the Rare Seared Tuna Tequitos and the Jerk Chicken Skewers around the table and marvel at how fast they go.

Step back in time and savor a slice of history while dining on Dante & Luigi’s “Old World” Italian fare. Established in 1899, this gem of the Italian Market District was the first stop for many of Philadelphia’s Italian immigrants. Today it draws a new crowd of guests who make it their own first stop for fresh and authentic Italian cuisine. Sepia-tinted stills of another age grace the walls as sun washes in to bring new life to this classic eatery. Patrons recommend favorites like the Gnocchi Romano, the Osso Buco, and the Seafood Cioppino. Come and taste what the …

The ChopHouse is a very chic restaurant featured in red brick building that offers fresh steak and seafood. Executive Chef Markese Beverly always creates interesting dishes and enjoys a big catch of the day. Patrons are seated in elegant booths while waiters attend to every need. The lounge is a great place to get drinks with numerous cocktail choices on the wall. Semi and private parties are encouraged as the rooms can accommodate up to 200 people. Reservations are recommended upon request.

Resting unassumingly on a hill amid the Society Hill Towers, Zahav has given traditional Israeli street food a makeover. Celebrated Chef Michael Solomonov has gone to great lengths to transport the multiethnic flavors of his homeland to Philadelphia. He calls the food “Modern Israeli,” and each small plate is equal parts passion, execution, and rustic goodness. The open kitchen gives a professional demeanor to the 100-seat room, while the smell of roasting lamb and warm glow of the hearth offer a homey contrast. Zahav is Hebrew for “Gold,” and its chefs are alchemists, transforming and elevating simple flavors and ingredients …

Located on Conshohocken’s main drag, Black Fish couples a simple, unpretentious dining experience with confident cooking. Owned and operated by Chef Charles “Chip” Roman, a Vetri and Perrier trained chef; Black Fish is a gem in this Philadelphia suburb. Packed to the gills every night, this BYOB storefront restaurant highlights seasonal ingredients and fresh seafood. Progressive American cuisine with French influences, fine sensibility and simple elegance make Black Fish a favorite among locals, as well as diners searching for fine-dining in a relaxed intimate atmosphere.

Nestled into its charming Midtown Village locale, Olivier Desaintmartin’s second Philadelphia feat, Zinc, is the essence of class meets comfort. In a city filled with attempts at the French bistro, Desaintmartin sets this 11th street gem above the rest by offering unfussy bistro classics and an exclusively French wine selection. Zinc offers diners the rare chance to feel right at home with a dining room décor that features exposed brick, dark polished wood, bistro chalkboards and authentic Parisian paintings. Complete with a knowledgeable and friendly staff, Zinc’s quaint, romantic appeal is reminiscent of a true bistro a vins one might …

Owner and Chef Peter Gilmore brings more than 30 years of experience to Gilmore’s Restaurant. This remarkably talented chef worked for 22 years as Chef de Cuisine at Philadelphia’s Le Bec-Fin before venturing out on his own. Located on West Chester’s main drag, Gilmore’s Restaurant offers classic French fare with an American twist. Dishes like Confit of Boneless Duck Leg and Escargots sit side-by-side with Shrimp Corn Dogs and Foie Gras Pizza (from humanely raised ducks). Although Chef Gilmore has a little fun with his menu, it does not mean there is anything lacking in the classic French tradition. The …

While Butcher and Singer invites comparisons to the finest steakhouses across America, this Philadelphia eatery is in a class by itself. With plush surroundings and unmatched service, Stephen Starr's newest venture delivers sumptuous dishes along with an unforgettable dining experience. Patrons are treated to a transformative meal in the well-appointed dining room and a wait staff that does more than simply serve; they contribute to the overall atmosphere of indulgence and enjoyment. One glance at Butcher and Singer's menu reveals that Chef Anthony Goodwin has achieved a rare balance between traditional and modern, while never straying from the highest culinary …

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse creates a world apart from the rest of Philadelphia’s big name steakhouses by infusing the dining experience with Old-World elegance and glamour. From the cloth-draped columns to sky-high ceilings, one step inside the restaurant showcases how majestic a meal can be-- given the right chef and a commitment to fine dining. Serving up premium steaks and seafood is always done with the utmost quality. Leaving no corner of steakhouse cuisine untouched, Del Frisco’s explores classic American fare with a passion for excess and delivers an unforgettable evening in the comfort of its plush surroundings.

Brandywine Prime infuses tradition and history with a refreshing dose of modernity. The 200-year old Chadds Ford Inn, which houses Brandywine Prime, has been stripped of its outdated and worn down stuffiness and given a chic new personality with sleekly minimalist accents. The menu is anything but antiquated, featuring such dishes as Pan Seared Diver Scallops with Creamy Chorizo Orzo and Coconut Rum Shrimp Tempura to enliven the senses. For palate purists, a hearty selection of prime cuts of beef offer succulently tender indulgences.

Although located in the quaint, suburban town center of Media, Azie restaurant is hardly rural. This study in globalization brings a very urban vibe to this “small town.” Executive Chef Takao Iinuma and Chef de Cuisine Kazuyuki Mitsui, both formerly of Morimoto, present Japanese inspired cuisine with a refined blend of flavors from cultures around the world. Using top-notch ingredients and traditional Japanese cooking philosophies, Azie showcases fusion cuisine. Dishes like Rock Shrimp Tempura sit side-by-side with Salmon and Yellow Tail Ceviche, Whitefish Carpaccio and Pan Roasted Halibut. French Champagnes and Italian reds are available, but you can share the …

Chef Peter Woolsey uses his know-how and talent to create classic French dishes that can be found across various regions in France at Bistrot La Minette. The elegant flair and friendly wait staff give the restaurant a warm and luxuriously casual atmosphere. Try such dishes as the Magret de Canard au Cassis, a pan-roasted duck breast, grilled white asparagus, potato confit, and black currant sauce, or try the Gateau L’Opera, a multi-layered almond sponge cake with chocolate ganache, coffee butter cream, and crème Chantilly. Give Bistrot La Minette a chance—your taste buds will thank you!

Conveniently located on Mayanunk’s main drag, Bourbon Blue brings a little bit of the Big Easy to Philadelphia. Not only does Bourbon Blue serve new American cuisine with a New Orleans twist, but the restaurant serves up a New Orleans-style late night as well. Chef Mark Ziebis prepares food inspired by the French Quarter, utilizing new ingredients that he infuses into classic dishes. The voluminous building invites guest in with its beautifully decorated canal front and keeps them coming back with interesting spices and an impressive cocktail menu. Or, if an energetic nightlife is more your style stop by to …

Stella Blu is an inviting destination for locals and newcomers alike. Be it a romantic dinner, a relaxing drink after work, or an evening of live entertainment, this smart and sophisticated West Conshohocken bistro sparkles. Bask in the glow of the exceptional customer service, including valet parking, a welcoming ambiance, and the newly expanded Star Bar. The extensive international menu includes such favorites as Lobster “Mac & Cheese and Wild Mushroom Ravioli. The food is heavenly, the décor is celestial, and the customer is always the star at Stella Blu.

Chef Dave Clouser’s impressive resume, including such notable restaurants as Susanna Foo, The Inn at Montcharin and Nectar, has given him the essential tools to open his Bryn Mawr restaurant, Sola. Serving a familiar American cuisine with a distinctive European flair, Sola attempts to redefine the typical bistro. This 50-seat restaurant offers diners a warm intimate environment with fresh seasonal ingredients and an ever evolving weekly prix fixe menu. Since its inception in 2006, Sola has remained a BYOB restaurant and promises to stay that way.

Tequilas shows the highbrow side of Mexico’s popular elixir. Soak in a margarita at the outdoor tables, perfectly situated for watching well-put-together Rittenhouse folk cross the corner of Locust and 16th. Inside, a high-ceilinged space provides an elegant backdrop for Owner David Suro’s classic vision. He brought the fruits of his homeland to Philadelphia in 1986, establishing a Mexican presence in the city’s culinary spectrum. Other spots around town have since twisted Mexican fare into a modern adventure, but chef Claudio Soto’s plates continue to showcase a brute traditionalism that brings diners to the root of it all.

The Rose Tattoo Café brings the balmy romance and sultry drama of Tennessee Williams’ New Orleans to Philadelphia. Its wrought iron railings, abundant flowering plants and antique Victorian edifice aptly conjure the historic charm of the French Quarter and set a seductive stage fit for the play that inspired the restaurant’s name. The eclectic menu features clever reinventions of Southern and American comfort food classics like Jambalaya and Baby Back Ribs in addition to more unexpected and delicious surprises like a Lobster Quesadilla with tarragon cream and Shiitake and Vegetable Spring Rolls. The attentive staff make “depending on the kindness …

The space formerly known as Sonoma was recently revamped by dynamic chef and owner Derek Davis. The result is Derek’s, a casual contemporary lounge serving sophisticated comfort food in a family atmosphere. Whether opting to order from their sweeping wine list or to BYO with no additional corkage fee, casual wine drinkers and enthusiasts alike are sure to feel at home. The menu is no less welcoming and offers thoughtful small plates and regular portioned entrees made from sustainable and seasonal ingredients. Sidewalk seating is ideal in the warmer months and conveys a European joie de vivre you’ll be hard-pressed …

Positano Coast, an Aldo Lamberti restaurant, was created to reflect the ambiance, energy and traditions of the Amalfi coast and it has done just that. With a modern twist on classic Italian dishes, Chef Pippo Lamberti brings a quiet sophistication to Philly’s Old City District. Positano Coast has a sleek and progressive open-air design with a cobalt blue floor, dramatically white walls and floor-to ceiling windows. The restaurant is located on the 2nd floor and offers two patios and a terrace for al fresco dining. Positano Coast’s Sopra Lounge is a comfortable and stylish place to enjoy a tasty concoction …

Brought to you by the Dilworthtown Inn, the Blue Pear Bistro delivers the same high quality food and service in a more casual environment. This self-proclaimed “hip-storic” bistro offers small and medium plates of playful and inventive comfort foods. Housed in the former Dilworthtown Inn General Store, the location has been revamped to unveil a quiet sophistication. A split-level restaurant, the Blue Pear Bistro’s blue and amber color scheme promotes a laid-back atmosphere. With small plates of Tuna Tartare or Chicken Nuggets with White-Truffle Honey Mustard, and medium plates of Braised Veal Breast and Pan Seared Sea Scallops, guests can …